Animated-picture device and method of manufacture



Feb. 28, 1928. Y 1,660,840

w. HERMANN ANIMATED PiCTURE T JEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Filed Feb. 5, 19 25 2 Sheets-Sheet l W flier/72557272, 1, ,gg

Feb. 28, 1928.

W. HERMANN ANIMATED PICTURE DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Filed k7?? Feb. 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E "fi EEIG f E! i;

ii i

Patented Feb. as, reas.

WOLFGANG rannivrann, or onrcaso, rLLIno'Is, ns'srenort T lirnrm. SPECIALTIES MANUFACTURING ooMrAn'Y, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLI- NOIS.

ANIMATED-PICTURE nnvron ANDMYETHOD or MANUFACTURE.

Application filed. February 5, 1925. Serial No. 7,013.

This invention relates particularly to mechanism adapted to produce the illusion of motion, or animation, in pictorial scenes. For example, such a device may be employed to produce the illusion of a water-fall, in motion, by projecting lights and shadows in a suitable manner through a transparency bearing, or having associated therewith, the picture, or the painting, of the natural scenery which includes the water-fall. In effect, lights and'shadows are cast upon, or projected through, a transparent picture, the light first passing through a suitable screen, or screens, at leastone of which is in motion. Thev lights, passing in waves through the picture-transparency, produce the illusion of motion in the water-fall in the particular adaptation mentioned.-

The principle described is capable of application to an exceedingly wide range of subjects, and eifect-sof exceedingly great artistic merit can be simply and cheaply obtained. The present invention relates especially to means for rendering practicable the use of very simple and inexpensive means for projecting the lights and shadows which are desired to produce an illusion of the character described. j j V In the preferred-embodiment of the invention, use is made of a, rotary screen which is caused to revolve by ascending air-currents caused by lamps, which serve both as a source of power for the screen and as a means of casting the moving lights and shadows. Because of the very low amount of power available from such a source, efforts hitherto made to produce a practicable device operating on this principle which could be depended upon to continue in operative condition for any considerable period of time have not met with full success. The present invention overcomes the difliculties which have been encountered, and provides a thoroughly practicable mechanism. 1

The primary object is to provide improved mechanism of'the characterr'eferred to, and an improved method of manufacturing the same.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 represents a vertical sectional view of shadow and light projecting mechanism embodying the invention, the lamp-support ing stand being shown in elevation; Fig. 2, a plan View ofan air-drivenfan upon which the rotary screen is mounted; Fig.- 3,.a horizontal sectional view taken as indicated; at line 3 of Fig.1; Fig.4, an edgeelevational view of the propeller-fan employed, with the blades set at an angle approximating that required for .maximum speed; Fig. 5,

a'similar view showing the blades set at an angle corresponding approximately with the slowest speed desired; Fig. 6, a sectional view of a cabinet equipped with the improved shadow and light projecting mechanlsm; Fig 7, a broken horizontal section taken as indicated at "line 7 of Fig. 6; Fig.

8, a broken view of a screen interposed between the revolving screen and the picturetransparency; Fig. 9, a' broken verticalsectional view showing a modification of the device forsuspending the propeller-fan and rotary screen carried thereby; and Fig. .10,

a broken plan-view of a modification of the fan.

i In the embodiment illustrated. A represents a cabinet whose front may be left open, except that a suitable molding A, which is in the nature ofa picture frame, may be provided A designates a picture-transparency mounted in the frame A; A designates a "lid for the cabinet; B designates the imvertical steel rods 1,1two of which are diametrically opposite each other, and the third 'of'which is in the rear; a bottom plate. 2,

a top plate 3, an upper intermediate plate 4, and a lower intermediate plate 5 secured to said-rods; and a central stem 6 carried by the upper disk 3' and comprising a. socket piece ti -rigidly attached to the disk, anda removable needle, or stem point, 6 mounted in said socket. V

The preferred manner of; assembling the stand is to provide the disks,- or plates,- men= tioned with perforations 7 through or into which the rods extend. Theperforations m' the disks 4 and 5 may be drilled or punched so as to be the same distance from the centers' of the disks- It is preferred to provide the perforations in thedisks 3 and 2 at distances from the centers which are different from those employed at the disks 4 and Thus, it is preferred to make the perforations 7 of the disk 8 on a smaller radius, and perforations 7 of the disk 2 on a larger radius than are the perforations of the disks 4 and a 5. The rods 1 which are employed are stiff resilient rods. .These are sprung when the rods are entered in the perforations and thus put under flexion. The result is to cause the rods to bind strongly in the perforations in the disks and .producean exceedingly rigid stand which, nevertheless, 1s of very light construction. To make the connections still more secure, solder may be applied at the.

joints between the rods and the disks, as indicated at 7 I I The socket-member 6 which is secured to. the upper end of the stand may be of any suitable metal, such as brass. The lower end of this member may be provided. with a reduced threaded portion 6 which passes through a perforation in the center of the top disk and is secured by means of a nut 8.

The member 6' preferably is of organic composition and of fibrous character. It ispreferred to employ a needle consistingof, or

"comprising, bamboo fibre, such as is commonly used for phonograph needle purposes.

When desired, the needle may be lifted out of the socket and a fresh needle may be inserted. e

The propeller-fan B preferably consists of an aluminum disk which is suitably incised and stamped to provide blades 9. The

7 central portion of the aluminum disk is provided with a perforation inwhich is fitted aninverted cup 10, which preferably is of glass. In the illustration given, this cup'is provided at its open end with an external flange 1O. The cup is inserted through the central perforation in the fan and is removably held in position by means of a spring ring 10*. 1

The preferred method of forming the fan is to provide the aluminum disk with an annular series of small perforations 11 which encircle the cup-receiving perforation at a suitable distance, incise the metal along rathe fan slower. It is preferred to employ dies which will make the radial incisions and bend the sectorsto the steepest angle which will be employed in practice, that is, the angle corresponding with the slowest speed. To obtain'higher speeds, the propeller-fan may be flattened to the extent desired between two flat plates. .This may be done by setting the plates in a press and adjusting the press so that it will give a limited stroke suiiicient to give the desired set to the blades.

Propeller-fans, having different inclinations of blades, may be used interchangeably in connection withthe rotary screen B; and,- assuming the, heating means employed in the stand, such as electric lamps, to remain the same, different rates of speed of the rotary screen mayv be obtained by using different fans whose blades are set'at different angles.

The cylindrical screen B may be composed of any suitable-transparent material which is light in, weight. Celluloid, or a composition of that character, is well adapted to the purpose. The celluloid c'ylin der may be provided with opaque marks, or

lines, arranged in any desired way. In the illustration given, the exterior surface of the celluloid is provided with heavy opaque spiral lines 12, produced by applying a thick ink, pigment, orpaint, in accordance with a selected design. The spiral lines may be varied, or broken,'as indicated at 12 in such manner as to produce in the picture of the water-fall, for example, the efi'ect ofripples, or eddies, at or near the bottom of the waterfall. The casting of alternate lights and shadows through the rotary, screen has the effect of producing the illusion of'motion in the outline of a water-fall, for example, which is traced in the opaque screen 0. In Fig. 6, the thickness of the lines maybe indicated at the upper portion. I The screen C may comprise a plateof glass 13 havingan. opaque'coating l8 in which is traced lines 18" representing the outline of awater-fall'. These lines may be provided by scratching off the opaque coating,-so that light will be transmitted through the glass at the lines. The outline of the water-fall on the screen 0 will correspond, in a general way, with that portion of the painting at the picture-transpa ncy A which represents the water-fall, thus, there willv be produced the illusion of falling Water, eddy effects, etc, as may be desired. The painting may re )resent,for example, a stream set in mountain scenery and containing boulders, and exceedingly realistic effects may beobtained. The picture, or

painting, may be provided and set in the frame A, in anysuitablemanner. In the example given, the painting is provided on a film, or thin sheet of paper, if desired, 14%, which is interposed between glass plates 14. The transparency is mounted in suitable ill!) lateral guide-slots with which the picture-frame A is provided. The upper ends of these channels'may beleft open, so" that when the lid A is lifted, a picture may be removed or inserted, as desired.

The source of heat preferably comprises electric lamps 16 and 17 mounted in insulating sockets 16 and 17, respectively, which fare applied at central perforations w th provided.

which the intermediate disks 4.- and 5 are The sockets may be constructed in any desired manner to enable them to be applied to the disks. are suitably connected 'with the sockets. Any suitable means, not shown, for controllingthe circuits may be provided. The disks 2, 3, i and 5 are preferably provided with perforations 19 which encircle the central portions and provide air passages. The purpose is to permit the ascending air currents to strike the propeller-fan in an advantageous manner.

The lower disk 2 wnich constitutes the base of the stand B is securec to the floor of the cabinet in a suitable manner, as by means of screws-20; and the floor of the cab lnet preferably is provided with air inlets 21 which register with thepassages through the disk 2. Air registers may be employed,

if desired;and,'if desired, the lid A may be provided with perforations 22 to permit a free circulation of air.

In Fig. 4, an edge elevational view of the propeller-fan B is shown. This fan has its blades set at an angle which approximates, but probably is somewhat greater,

than the angle of greatest efiiciency.

In Fig. 5, B represents a similar fan with the blades set'at an angle of low efti ciency, corresponding with slow speed. The fan shown in Fig. '5 may be assumed, in the preferred method of manufacture, to represent one stage in the manufacture of the fan shown in Fig. 4. I i

on the propeller-fan is to fit within the upper end of the screen a ring 24 which thus provides at its lower edge an internal shoulder, or stop, which rests upon the fanblades at their outer ends. The fan may be inserted through the cylinder from below with a friction fit, so that the screen B will rotate with the fan.

It is of the utmost importance in a device Electric conductors 18.

like, is not desirable.

In theof this character, where the propeller-fan and screen carried thereby are actuated by means of heated air currents, that thesus I pension device should'be ofsuch character as to produce the minimum amount'of fr1ctron, avoid abrasion, and prevent the accumulation of anysubstances at the point of j contact which might interfere with the operation. The power-available is very small, indeed. It has been found that those mat-e.- rials which ordinarily would be employed for bearing purposes will not serve-the purpose best in the present case. For example, brass to steel, steel to glass, etc. WVlll notserve the juraose to ood advanta e. In

general, the useof metals either alike or un-' It might bethought that the use of onehard metal and 0n'e' softer metal would answer the purpose, but such-has not proven to be the case. I In general, the use of metals results in abrasion andcollection of minute particles 2 at the contact surfaces, which will, in time, stop the operation. Theusejof a steel point in a glass-cup bearing has not proven very satisfactory. 5 f

On the other hand, there may be substituted for a glass-cup bearing. any hearing I having similar characteristics; also, there may be substituted for the needle of bamboo fibre any needle having similar characteristics; Ingeneral, one of the bearing mem bers may j be formedof suitable mineral material which can be properly'molded and melted, or vitrified, so as to give a smooth, or glazed surface; and the other member may be of organic material, or composition, preferably of fibrous material. Hard fibre, for example, maybe employed in lieu of" the bamboo wood.

However, the substances thus far found most suitable are glass against bamboo fibre, and the bamboo shaft or needle has the grainrunning longitudinally, so that, the. needle will not wear readily; and, evidently, such wear as does occur does not result in either abrading the glass or interposing any gritty, or sticky,- material at the point of contact.

[In the construction described, the screen and propeller-fan aresuspended on the needle in suclrmanner that there is no possibility of'wedging, and the screen and fan can balance themselves, at .all times, properly on the needle point. It. has been found, that a comparatively small point serves, the purpose best. Thisflpointmay be slightly rounded, if desired. o

In some situations, it may be advisable to use an agate bearing member; also, in,

some situations, it may be advisable to use a bearing member composed of, or comprising, a synthetic resin in a suitably hardened condition, as, for example, a phenolic condensation product in its final infusible and substantially insoluble state. The fibrous .material maybe incorporated in such a- .rcsin, or fibrous material may be indurated byineans of. such a resin, if desired.

the modification shown in Fig. '10, 9 designates a fan-blade having its extremity provided' with a lug 9 'VVlliCh projects through a vertical slot in the upper end. of

the relluloi d' cylinder 13. The fan may have several of its blades provided With such lugs and the upper edge of the cylinder may have corresponding slots, or sockets,

into which the lugsinay pass When the fan is lowered into the cylinder. A close-fitting metal band 25 is forced onto the cylinder above the lugs and thus the fan is securely tastened to the cylinder.

The foregoing detailed descrlption has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should. be understood therefrom, but theappended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art. I

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

" 1. A stand for the purpose set forth, comprising more than tWo parallel metal disks provided With perforations, stitl resilient rods entered in said'perforations and con neoting said disks and held under fiexure thereby, and a central needle mounted on the upper disk. i

2. A stand for the purpose set forth, cone prising an upper disk, a lower disk, and two.

intermediate disks provided with rod-receiv ing perforations, stilt resilientrods entered in said perforations and connect ng sald disks, la .ps mounted onthe intermediate disks, and a thrust-bearing mounted" cen tra-lly upon theupper disk.

. A stand for the purpose set forth, comprising a suitable base, an upper disk and" intermediate disks, lamps mounted on the intermediate disks, stilt resilient connecting members joining said disks near their peripheries and held under fieXui-e by .said

disks, a needle socket mo unted centrally on V the upper disk, and a removable needle received by said socket.

5. A stand for the purpose set forth, comprising a suitable base, an upper disk and intermediate disks, lamps mounted on the intermediate disks, stifi' resilient connecting members joining said disks near. their peripheries, a needle socket mounted centrally on the upper disk, and. a fibre needle re ceived by said socket.

WOLFGANG. .HERMANN. 

